Information Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS), a manufacturer of EEBD-sets, has contacted Lloyd’s Register to advise that fake EEBD-sets have been found in service. On receipt of a batch of EEBD-sets for annual inspection, it was discovered that the bags and EEBD-sets were fake copies of the Unitor/MSA type Uniscape 15H.

We have been further advised that the fakes do not work as they are supposed to and will create an extremely dangerous situation for
the user when they are needed for escape.

The following guidance has been provided to help owners and operators identify the fake

EEBD-sets:
- In the fakes which have been discovered, the hood is impossible to fit over a human
head as the neck tightening rubber membrane is not flexible enough. The rubber membrane is sewed to the hood with a single seam whereas the original is welded.

- Although the bag has similar print to the WWS original, the bag material is different.
The bag material for the original is a shiny PVC whereas the fakes are a dull canvas-like
material.

- In the fakes, the zipper opens from right to left towards the cylinder valve. The originals
open away from the cylinder valve in order to activate the air release line.

- The fake sets which have been discovered to date have a company label/service tag with the following information:

UNIscan Marine Products & Services

Uniscan Middle East L.L.C.
Shed No.: 71, Al Jadaf Dry Docking Yard
P.O.Box 62487, Dubai, U.A.E.
Owners and operators are urged to verify any Unitor EEBD-sets on board their vessels. In addition, you are reminded to purchase safety equipment only from manufacturers or their
authorised service stations/agents and to ensure that appropriate certification and documentation is supplied.

Should you have any concerns regarding the authenticity of equipment or certification, please contact the equipment manufacturer or your local Lloyd’s Register office.
WWS has provided a technical notification, issued with this Classification News, to help
clients identify fake equipment.

Stephen Forster: T +44 (0)20 7423 2173 E This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it